Montferrat

Montferrat, once a duchy of Italy between Genoa, Piedmont, and Milan, lying in two detached portions between the Maritime Alps and the Po, and containing 1,000 square miles. Its capital was Casale. A Marquis of Montferrat existed in 980, and in 1536 Charles V. granted the territory to the Duke of Mantua. It was made a duchy by Maximilian in 1571. In 1631 part was ceded to Savoy, and the rest was annexed by the Emperor Joseph in 1708.